Cleo Unisex

Popularity: #494 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KLEE-oh //ˈkliː.oʊ//

Origin: Greek; Egyptian

Meaning: Greek: glory; Egyptian: pride

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cleo is derived from the Greek name Kleo (Κλέω), which means "to glorify" or "to make famous." The root of the name can be traced back to the Greek word "kleos" (κλέος), meaning "glory" or "fame." This name was often associated with the Muses in Greek mythology, particularly with Clio, the Muse of history, who was responsible for recording and glorifying the deeds of the past. The transition of the name into English occurred through Latin, where it was adapted as "Clea," and subsequently into Old French before becoming the modern English form, Cleo.

Historically, the name Cleo has been borne by notable figures, including Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, who reigned from 51 to 30 BCE. Cleopatra is often remembered for her intelligence, political acumen, and her relationships with Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

The name Cleo, therefore, carries connotations of strength and influence, rooted in the legacy of one of history's most famous queens. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and translations, contributing to its enduring presence in Western culture.

Culturally, Cleo has been associated with themes of beauty, power, and wisdom, often reflecting the qualities attributed to its historical namesakes. The name's resonance in literature and the arts has further solidified its significance, as it evokes images of grandeur and historical importance.

Diminutive forms such as Clea have also emerged, though Cleo remains the most recognized variant. The name's rich etymological background and historical associations contribute to its lasting appeal across different cultures and eras.

Famous people named Cleo

In this section, you will find notable people named Cleo. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cleo who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cleo who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Cleo Laine is a singer and actress best known for her work in jazz and musical theatre.

Cleo Wade is an author and poet best known for her books Heart Talk and Where to Begin.

Cleo Smith is a child known for her high-profile abduction case in Australia.

Fictional characters named Cleo

The following list of fictional characters named Cleo is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cleo is a fictional character from the animated television series Cleo and Cuquin. She is a young girl who embarks on various adventures with her baby brother Cuquin and their friends.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cleo, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ClaraCeliaChloeCoraCarmenCassandra

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cleo. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ClioCleaCeliaCoraCynthiaCarmineClementine

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cleo was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cleo has ranked as high as #286 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas.

In the past 5 years the name Cleo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cleo is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cleo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cleo.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 534 18 516
2024 516 21 495
2023 515 25 490
2022 462 17 445
2021 375 19 356
2020 319 16 303
2019 282 12 270
2018 248 26 222
2017 171 18 153
2016 164 19 145
2015 136 16 120
2014 107 7 100
2013 88 7 81
2012 140 16 124
2011 94 7 87
2010 85 7 78
2009 77 5 72
2008 61 13 48
2007 75 12 63
2006 64 6 58
2005 64 13 51
2004 57 6 51
2003 65 7 58
2002 80 11 69
2001 79 5 74
2000 82 16 66
1999 64 14 50
1998 74 13 61
1997 76 20 56
1996 74 15 59
1995 52 13 39
1994 55 14 41
1993 50 15 35
1992 73 20 53
1991 57 19 38
1990 66 27 39
1989 43 13 30
1988 55 22 33
1987 64 26 38
1986 64 25 39
1985 59 20 39
1984 45 22 23
1983 53 24 29
1982 56 32 24
1981 50 25 25
1980 55 26 29
1979 67 31 36
1978 71 40 31
1977 69 37 32
1976 51 27 24
1975 72 44 28
1974 64 24 40
1973 74 34 40
1972 60 25 35
1971 68 34 34
1970 66 35 31
1969 72 39 33
1968 68 31 37
1967 72 33 39
1966 104 51 53
1965 107 47 60
1964 127 52 75
1963 102 47 55
1962 120 41 79
1961 136 60 76
1960 122 51 71
1959 158 64 94
1958 155 57 98
1957 183 77 106
1956 233 91 142
1955 243 96 147
1954 226 83 143
1953 241 106 135
1952 273 106 167
1951 228 95 133
1950 256 100 156
1949 274 110 164
1948 268 100 168
1947 353 141 212
1946 333 130 203
1945 289 107 182
1944 330 117 213
1943 377 133 244
1942 432 155 277
1941 413 138 275
1940 440 139 301
1939 453 141 312
1938 565 178 387
1937 550 159 391
1936 529 179 350
1935 593 167 426
1934 654 206 448
1933 632 215 417
1932 655 200 455
1931 705 223 482
1930 723 208 515
1929 782 198 584
1928 847 241 606
1927 997 335 662
1926 1,010 280 730
1925 1,110 298 812
1924 1,209 300 909
1923 1,197 314 883
1922 1,300 309 991
1921 1,337 345 992
1920 1,399 350 1,049
1919 1,368 355 1,013
1918 1,372 363 1,009
1917 1,322 313 1,009
1916 1,350 319 1,031
1915 1,263 349 914
1914 887 215 672
1913 681 145 536
1912 608 139 469
1911 436 78 358
1910 429 72 357
1909 393 60 333
1908 340 50 290
1907 381 56 325
1906 290 52 238
1905 297 49 248
1904 270 40 230
1903 261 40 221
1902 231 33 198
1901 186 26 160
1900 229 31 198
1899 143 11 132
1898 154 15 139
1897 155 24 131
1896 161 27 134
1895 144 19 125
1894 129 11 118
1893 143 21 122
1892 111 16 95
1891 86 10 76
1890 93 12 81
1889 77 7 70
1888 75 12 63
1887 43 6 37
1886 50 8 42
1885 40 8 32
1884 36 6 30
1883 26 0 26
1882 18 0 18
1881 23 0 23
1880 22 5 17

Top States for Cleo (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 85
19%
NY 37
8%
TX 36
8%
IL 24
5%
OH 18
4%
AZ 17
4%
UT 16
4%
PA 16
4%
MN 14
3%
MO 13
3%
CO 12
3%
TN 12
3%
FL 11
2%
NC 11
2%
IN 11
2%
KY 10
2%
GA 10
2%
OR 10
2%
MI 10
2%
MA 9
2%
WI 9
2%
KS 8
2%
WA 8
2%
OK 7
2%
IA 7
2%
VA 6
1%
NJ 6
1%
MD 5
1%
ID 5
1%
RI 5
1%